Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-11-23
TOOK WAITER.
The Northern Pacific Allows
the Montana Central to
Gross its Tracks.
Helena to Guido Herself on Monday
i'm Celebrating the Advent OF
a Real Competing Line
of Railroad.

HELENA, November 19.-Grear prepar-
ations are being made for the celebration
which takes place on Monday. The pro-
cession will form on Main street, prompt
ly at 80 P. NJ, and will march down to
the depot to meet the train, which will ar
rive about o'clock. President Hill of
the Manitoba and party will be escorted to
their carriages at once and the procession
win lcouutermarch through the main streets
of the city to the opera house, where the
exercises of welcome will be conducted.
The procession will form on north Main
street with the right resting on Sixth ave-
nue..
The Montana Central is still the all alb
sorbing topic, consequently it was with
no little degree of interest that informa-
tion was received yesterday to the effect
that the Northern Pacific railroad was en-
deavoring to impede the progress of the
Montana Central by obstructing portion
of track where the new road would be
compelled to make crossing in order to
enter the city. The news soon spread like
wildfre and shortly afterwards all who
could spare time hastened to the scene,
going either on foot or horseback or by
any conveyance then handy. In consld-
erabIy less time than it takes to relate it
about 1000 persons had gathered at the
place designated, a point about 300 yards
west of the cemetery, at which place a
busy scene was being enacted. 1mmedi-
ately on the Helena d Red Mountain
track, across which the Montana Central
had got, stood monster Northern Pacific
engine to which was attached several box
and flat cars, forming a complete barrier
to the further advance of the railroad. On
either side of the train had been begun
the construction of two switches or side
tracks by Northern Pacific laboreTs, some
thirty or more of whom were basily occu-
pied in handling material requisite for
building of the switches. So matters
stood until the near approach Of the rail
handlers and spike drivers of the Mon
tana Central, who, upon arriving at the
Northern Pacific crossing, found the way
impeded and halted to await further or
ders.
THE PEOPLE EXCITED.
All was now excitement and the crowd
from the city, that had in the meanwhile
increased to about double its original
number, looked anxiously upon the scene,
coniuring in their minds what next would
be done. Many sentiments of disapproval
were expressed at the Northern Pacific fer
its unseemly conduct, and before many
moments the indignation had become in
tense, and to such degree that someone,
presumably in authority on the Montana
Central, ordered the Northern Pacific en-
gineer to move his train away from the
coveted spot within 15 minutes after be-
ing notified.
THE N. C. ULTIMATUM.
This command again increased excite
1nent and soon orders were flying be-
tween the engineer and the depart
ment he was serving, resulting in
the backing up of the train some
200 yards away from the crossing. Sim
ultaneous with this movement the North
ern Pacific 1aborers also began undoing
the work of the switch building which
had begun, leaving the ground clear for
the opposite party, who had by that time
taken possession of the crossing and were
proceeding with the laying of the ties
and frogs. They soon filled up the gap
and continued on toward the city without
further incident. Rumors are current that
that orders had been received from Saint
to make no further opposition, and, aside
from delaying the Montana Central about
two hours. nothing of a serious nature oc-
CURED. To lockers on, however, it was
apparent that trouble was ayerted more
through the inshumentality of the local
managers of both roads than by any or.
der that might have been received from
Saint Paul. No doubt this display Of
good judgment and business tact added
materially to the amieable settlement, at
least for the present. of all differences, by
permitting the road to proceed.
PREPARING TO CELEBRATE.
HELENA, November IS. The first
through train for Helena on the new road
will leave Saint Paul this evening, and
be made TO arrive here on Monday noon,
simultaneous with the arrival Of the pro
cession at the depot. The train will con
yey James j. Hill and other railroad mag.
pafes.
Engines i55 and IS will he the first 10